Changes in surface treatment, a sudden change in direction and the presence of trees, all contribute to lowering speed in residential roads. This combination of design strategies in Trent Basin achieved a street that is accessible, legible and calm.
In Poundbury, sharp radii and a strategically positioned tree, give character to the street and help lower car speed.
In Green Street, Nottingham, the road becomes narrower at the entrance to reduce car speed. The feature is also used to arrange on-street car parking.
2.4 Designed speed
Vehicular speed can be dictated through design. Nottingham aspires to create neighbourhoods where streets are for people, where children can play and residents can circulate comfortably. Streets in residential areas should be designed so that vehicle speeds do not exceed 20mph, and this should be achieved through the geometry and layout of the development rather than applying engineered traffic calming.
The geometry of carriageways and vehicle track spaces, including centre line and corner radii, should be as tight as possible to limit traffic speeds. Curved, curly streets do not tend to help reduce speed, especially if wide radii are necessary for refuse and service vehicles. Excessive forward visibility on bends and curves shall not be provided. Trees and planting may be used to limit forward visibility where necessary.
Design Criteria
2.4.1 Streets are pedestrian and cycle friendly and are they designed to encourage cars to be driven slower and more carefully.
2.4.2 Engineered traffic calming measures have been avoided and are only used if agreed with all the departments of the City Council.
2.4.3 Streets have not been curved and curled to reduce speed.Instead, straight, naturally calmed streets are proposed.